Bruins’ Thornton suspended 15 games

NEW YORK — Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton was suspended for 15 games without pay the NHL on Saturday for punching and injuring unsuspecting Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik.

Thornton went after Orpik during a stoppage in play Dec. 7, slew-footing him to the ice and punching him twice. Orpik sustained a concussion and was taken off the ice on a stretcher. Earlier, Orpik hit Boston’s Loui Eriksson, knocking him out of the game with a concussion.

Thornton was assessed a match penalty.

Orpik hasn’t played since the game.

“This cannot be described as a hockey play that went bad, or do we consider this a spontaneous reaction to an incident that just occurred,” NHL vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan said in the video announcing the suspension. “It is our view that this was an act of retribution for an incident that occurred earlier in the game, the result of this action by Thornton was a serious injury to Orpik.”

The suspension will cost Thornton $84,615. He served three games of the ban before the length of the suspension was determined.

I will be consulting with the Bruins, my representation and the NHLPA about next steps, and will be in a position to address the matter publicly after speaking with those parties,” Thornton said in a statement released by the Bruins. “Until then I will have no further comment.”

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli also released a statement.

“We respect the process, including the ability to attend and present our case in person,” Chiarelli said. “At this time, we will decline comment until the process is complete and Shawn has exhausted all rights available to him.”